Posted on December 18th, 2024
| “Today, after a long process but full of learning and satisfaction, I can proudly say that I have successfully completed my bachelor’s degree. In a few months I will receive the document that will formalize this achievement, but much more important for me is to recognize that I did not travel this path alone. Your support and teachings were fundamental to get here, and for that I am deeply grateful to you. …I thought about this moment, imagining what it would be like to reach this goal. Although I always visualized it as a great achievement, there was also the uncertainty of what would come next: being independent from my parents, making important decisions, and being responsible for my actions…Thanks to all the support I have received, I feel that I am ready for this moment…, to seek and accept opportunities with courage, without fear of what may go wrong, and focusing on what can go right.” |
| Jóvenes Adelante – Mexico and San Miguel’s own, most comprehensive university scholarship and support program – has just passed a crucial landmark, our 300th graduate. 300 lives transformed! Each with ripple effects within their families, communities and Mexico. To celebrate, we launch our Congress 2.0, recalling our past and ongoing stories of student successes like Jorge’s, empowered through the work, commitment, and high hopes of our entire community of students, graduates, donors, mentors, EFL tutors, staff, board, founders and others to which JA gives voice. We all have stories. – Each new applicant tells us about their lives and the potential impact of JA support on achieving their dreams; – Each student’s story evolves quarter term by term, experience by experience; – Each graduate has written or still writes their next life chapter; – Each mentor, EFL Tutor, volunteer has a source of inspiration in their past and honors this in the present; – Each sponsor finds meaning in their financial support that reaches from the past into the future. – JA Founders’ collective vision is a legacy that continues to flourish and expand. These are our collective stories. During the Congress and after, JA community members past, present and new, will be invited to share those stories in different forums, mostly in writing as they wish and at their leisure. This year’s Congress Featured Event presents two documentary, short subject films of marginalized youth finding their voices as a means of healing and catharsis to go beyond the circumstances of their birth. |
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| Produced and presented by Colorado Springs’ Youth Documentary Academy (YDA), the two student films are autobiographical, poignant and relevant. In Leaving Africa, Rose Nseya recounts the harrowing odyssey of fleeing one’s homeland in search of safer lives. Rarely is this story told through the voices of U.S. immigrant families and refugees. In Shade, Antreise Lacey confronts harmful labels, often subtle ones, that undermine people of color, even amongst young generations. The short films will be followed by an hour-long, facilitated storytelling workshop. A small group of volunteer JA students and graduates will work with YDA teachers while the rest of us observe. Stories such as these echo Mexico’s complex society, touching all our students’ lives daily, often very personally and close to home. It will be fascinating to see how our student’s respond to these Afro-American experiences. The Congress is divided into morning and afternoon sessions. The morning is reserved for new, aspiring local students and their families to learn more about JA’s 2025 Class Application/Selection Process, which opens January 13, 2025. |
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| The afternoon session is open to the general public, JA supporters including financial sponsors, donors, mentors, EFL tutors, other volunteers, current students and graduates. It is a shared experience that offers a great opportunity for large swaths of the JA community to come together in one place, at one time. Check in begins at noon. This larger community includes over 200 Canadians, and returning to a tradition, we will present our annual AMISTAD Canada Award to JA’s Project Liaison, Myra Novogrodsky. Do not miss this opportunity! |
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| The featured event will be followed by a reception and award ceremony until 5pm. Congress 2.0: Saturday January 18, 12-5pm Advanced registration and detailed program information: Before January 10, 2025. JA website: https://jovenesadelante.org/ja-congress/ Location: Instituto Sanmiguelense, the leading Technological University in San Miguel, and educational home to many of our students! Parking: on campus and on the wide street in front (do be mindful of very large speed bumps as this a school zone) The University is just outside of town, on the road to Dr. Mora near the Presidencia |
